Back to the wall – mural painting in 20th Century Britain

After 1900, a new enthusiasm for mural painting was given a boost in 1951 by the Festival of Britain, where around 100 murals were shown. Twentieth century murals spanned the range of styles, among them narrative and symbolic painting which has generally been neglected as an aspect of the period. Found in public buildings, schools, churches and private houses many have been destroyed, and others remain at risk. Muralists included John Piper, Ben Nicholson, Bridget Riley, Rex Whistler and Mary Adshead. Hans Feibusch was best known for his murals in Anglican Churches. A painter of murals himself, Alan Powers is a historian of art and architecture of the period.

This is the fifth lecture in a series focusing on frescoes and murals from Ancient Egypt to 20th Century Britain. You might also like to consider these lectures: